A Department for Education spokesperson has announced an expansion of eligibility for free school meals (FSM) as part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing child poverty and supporting working families.

The report also notes that some children attending maintained nurseries are not receiving their entitled meals, highlighting the need for broader inclusion in FSM eligibility.

Despite the increase in eligibility, recent data shows that 77,700 more children became eligible for FSM in the last year, yet many still miss out due to registration challenges.

Education Minister Stephen Morgan has acknowledged efforts to simplify the application process for FSM, presenting it as a significant step forward for families in need.

This expansion is accompanied by other initiatives, including free breakfast clubs and caps on school uniform costs, all designed to bolster support for families.

Recent statistics reveal that 25.7% of pupils in England were eligible for FSM as of January 2025, marking an increase from 24.6% the previous year, which underscores the growing need for accessible meal programs.

Currently, families on universal credit must earn below £7,400 annually to qualify for FSM, but an expansion set for September 2026 could potentially add 500,000 more eligible children.

The report highlights that significant inequalities in access to FSM persist, largely due to varying registration practices among local authorities, with some requiring parents to apply while others automatically identify eligible children.

Barriers such as language difficulties, stigma, and confusion about eligibility hinder families from applying for FSM, and implementing auto-enrolment could help mitigate these issues.

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has urged the government to establish a national auto-enrolment system for FSM to address these inequalities and ensure that no eligible child misses out.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, supports the call for auto-enrolment, emphasizing that it is a logical next step to guarantee that all eligible children receive their meals.

Dr. Kerris Cooper from EPI stresses the importance of including all children in early education settings in the FSM expansion to support those most at risk of poverty.